In a significant step towards community transformation, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has appointed Cynthia Rocha to lead its Westside Community Center. This appointment marks a crucial moment in the university’s ongoing efforts to address historical inequities in one of San Antonio’s most culturally vibrant neighborhoods.
Rocha, whose career is marked by decades of advocacy and educational advancement, will spearhead UTSA’s ambitious initiative to strengthen the relationship between the university and the Westside community—an area that has long faced challenges due to systemic disinvestment and structural barriers.
“The Westside Center represents UTSA’s commitment to being not just in the community, but of the community,” Rocha stated during a recent meeting with La Prensa Texas Board Member Louis R. Escareño and Rebecca Barrera, Founder of Somos Cultura Y Mas. “We’re here to build meaningful bridges between university resources and neighborhood needs, addressing generations of challenges while celebrating and strengthening our cultural wealth.”
Fernando Godinez, President & CEO of the Mexican American Unity Council, highlighted the Center’s essential role: “UTSA has been an indispensable partner in preserving Westside assets. Through their guidance, we’ve helped families protect their resources, demonstrating the real-world impact of this partnership.”
Rocha brings a compelling personal narrative to her new role. As the daughter of migrant workers who earned her BBA from Baylor University and an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University, she exemplifies the transformative power of education that the Center aims to promote. Her extensive qualifications include completing Harvard University’s Executive Public Leadership Program at the Kennedy School of Government and obtaining certification as a Professional of Human Resources.
Located at 1310 Guadalupe Street, the Center serves as the cornerstone of UTSA’s Westside Community Partnerships initiative. Under Rocha’s leadership, it will concentrate on several key areas:
– Creating pathways for educational advancement
– Developing data-driven policy advocacy
– Strengthening community research partnerships
– Expanding economic opportunities
– Preserving cultural heritage while fostering growth
“We’re not just opening doors,” Rocha emphasized. “We’re building lasting pathways for generations to come. This Center represents UTSA’s commitment to being a true partner in the community’s future.” In support of this, Roger Enriquez, Associate Professor and Executive Director of UTSA’s Westside Community Partnerships, remarked on the Center’s potential to enhance participatory research through Rocha’s leadership. “Cynthia’s deep understanding of the Westside and her proven ability to build trust will help foster the granular relationships necessary for meaningful community-engaged, participatory research. Her leadership will strengthen the collaborative work essential to addressing complex community challenges through research that truly reflects the voices and experiences of the Westside.”
The Westside Community Center offers free access to essential resources such as computers, internet service, and printers. Operating Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, with additional hours available by appointment, the Center serves as a hub for community engagement and resource connection.
As San Antonio’s Westside embarks on its next chapter, Rocha’s leadership is poised to reinforce the vital connection between UTSA and a community that has played a key role in defining San Antonio as a national epicenter of Hispanic culture. Her appointment heralds a new era in confronting historical inequities while leveraging the neighborhood’s strengths as a cultural and historical cornerstone of San Antonio.
For more information about the Westside Community Center and its services, community members can call (210) 458-2400, visit the Center at 1310 Guadalupe Street, or go online for further details.
